Container for matches



Feb. 21, 1933.

1,. c. THOMAS CONTAINER FOR MATCHES Original Filed May 2, .1929

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mM H/ Patented Feb. 21, 1933 UETED STATES LUCY COTTON THOMAS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CONTAINER FOR MATCHES Ori inal application filed May 2, 1929, Serial No. 359,952. Divided and this application filed March 24,

1932. Serial The invention relates to improvements in containers and more particularly to containers for matches, or the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a readily accessible match packet receiving compartment in a container for holding the matches forwardly of the container at the mouth thereof for ready removal, and at the same time providing means for holding the packet of matches securely in place.

The present application is a division of copending application Serial No. 359,952 for containers, filed May 2, 1929.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a perspective view of the container of general parallelopiped form in open position.

Figure 2 is a sectional plan view of the device in closed position.

Figure 3 is a section substantially on line 33 of Figure 2, further showing the construction of the forwardly disposed match compartment and retaining means.

Referring to the drawing, the container 1 5 is preferably of rectangular parallelopiped form and provides a similarly shaped inner chamber divided into a match packet receiving portion 2 and a cigarette receiving portion 3.

The match receiving portion 2 is disposed forwardly and to one side of the container chamber, leaving space 3 for cigarettes at the side and to the rear thereof. As shown, the match packet receiving compartment occupies about half of the area of the mouth of container opening 4 and is adapted to receive the usual paper match packet 5.

The closure members or doors 6 are hinged 40 to the container at 7 and springs 8 are preferably provided at the hinges for urging the closure members to closed position.

A partition 25 divides the inner chamber of the container 1 into the match packet receiving portion 2 and the cigarette receiving portion 3 for receiving individual cigarettes 26.

The partition 25 comprises a rear or back portion 25c between which and the inner rear wall 9 is provided an extension of space 3 for receiving cigarettes or the like, and an No. endear.

upstanding flange portion around the edge of the partition 25.

The flange portion 25b is extended inwardly at 250 for receiving the match packet 5. It is preferably slightly bowed or bent at 25d to exert a spring clamping action upon the base 5a of the package of matches. The flange portion 25?) may be extended at 2 56 to provide a smooth surface to guide or direct access to the matches. The flange portion 257) is preferably provided at the sides with retaining lugs 28 struck therefrom and adapted to bear against and retain the backing wall 56 of the match packet 5 after the same has been snapped into position.

Also. at one side the upstanding flange 25b is turned over laterally at 25f to provide a central abutment for the doors.

I claim:

1. A container for a packet of matches, com prisin a rear or back wall portion, an upstanding flange around the edge of said back portion, the edge of a portion of said flange extending inwardly and bent to provide a spring clamp for receiving the base of a match packet, the edge of another portion of said flange opposite to said spring clamp being extended inwardly and inclined to engage the said back portion to provide a smooth surface to serve as a guide or to direct access to the matches, the portions of said upstanding flange at the remaining sides of said back portion having retaining lugs struck therefrom and adapted to bear against and retain the backing wall of the match packet against said rear or back portion after the match packet has been snapped into place.

2. A container for a packet of matches, comprising a rear or back wall portion of rectangular shape, and an upstanding flange portion around tlic edge of said rectangular back portion, the flange at one side of said rectangular back wall being extended inwardly to provide a spring clamp for the base of a match packet, the flange portion at the opposite side of said rectangular back wall extending inwardly and inclining into engagement with the said back wall to provide a smooth surface to serve as a guide to direct access to the matches in inserting or removing the same, the upstanding flange portions at the remaining sides of said rectangular back Wall having retaining lugs extending inwardly therefrom and adapted to bear against and retain the wall or" the match packet against said back wall portion after the match packet has been snapped into place.

3. A container providing an inner chamber and a partition in said chamber facing forwardly and extending across a part only of the area of the chamber space, partition being disposed substantially midway of tae depth of said space and dividing said part of the chamber space into a forwardly disposed match receiving space and rearwar'dly disposed space. said partition comprisin a rear or back wall portion having an upstanding flange portion around the edge thereof, the flange extending forwardly throughout the depth of the match receiving siace and em bracing and defining the same. the flange at one side of the back wall portion being extended inwardly and bent to provide a spring clamp for the base 01 a match packet, a flange portion at the opposite side or" said back wall extending inwardly and inclining into engagement With the said back wall to provide a smooth inclined surface to serve as a guide to direct access to the matches in inserting or removing the same. and retaining lugs extending inwardly from the flange port ons at the remaining sides of the back wall to engage and retain the Wall of the match packet against said back Wall portion after the match packet has been snapped into place.

4. A container according to claim 3 provided with closure means the flange portion at the inner side of said partition being turned over laterally outwardly to provide an abutment for said closure means disposed centrally of said container.

In testimony whereof, I aiiix my signture.

LUCY COTTON THOMAS. 

